Dining questions for first timer!

[Valentina8623]

I'm super excited to have finally convinced my husband to go on a cruise. This will be our very first cruise. It will be DH, me, Dd (9) and Ds (7). We will be going in March on the Fantasy 7 day Star Wars cruise. Im trying to read up as much as I can on what to plan for and what to expect. Apparently we booked later then most and it shows on our reservation that we have 2nd seating. Is there any way we could change it to 1st? Is 2nd seating bad for kids and how late is it? Will we be missing the shows or anything special? I’d just like to know the pros and cons of this and don’t want to be the only person with kids on the late seating. Also, my husband and I would love a date night. I know there is Remy and Palo. Which one would be best for a first timer? I know Remy is more fancy and a 7-course meal. What about Palo? Is it also several courses or do you pay for each dish like at a regular restaurant? Also, how long is the kids club open? I need to know how much time we would have and when to book the reservation and if we have enough time to also go and have some drinks in the adult lounges. Sorry for all the questions. Thank you to anyone that can help.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm super excited to have finally convinced my husband to go on a cruise. This will be our very first cruise. It will be DH, me, Dd (9) and Ds (7). We will be going in March on the Fantasy 7 day Star Wars cruise. Im trying to read up as much as I can on what to plan for and what to expect. Apparently we booked later then most and it shows on our reservation that we have 2nd seating. Is there any way we could change it to 1st? Is 2nd seating bad for kids and how late is it? Will we be missing the shows or anything special? I’d just like to know the pros and cons of this and don’t want to be the only person with kids on the late seating. Also, my husband and I would love a date night. I know there is Remy and Palo. Which one would be best for a first timer? I know Remy is more fancy and a 7-course meal. What about Palo? Is it also several courses or do you pay for each dish like at a regular restaurant? Also, how long is the kids club open? I need to know how much time we would have and when to book the reservation and if we have enough time to also go and have some drinks in the adult lounges. Sorry for all the questions. Thank you to anyone that can help.

Call DCL and ask to be moved to the Main (early) seating. If they say it's full, ask to be placed on the wait list. It's not a bad idea to periodically call DCL to "confirm" you are on the wait list. Sometimes you'll get a sympathetic CM who will go ahead and move you.

If the wait list doesn't come through before you actually board the ship, check the Navigator you'll get in the terminal at check in to see where dining changes are being handled, and head there as soon as you board to see if you can change it.

Second seating is typically around 8:15. There are many kids who've dined at late seating and been fine. A late lunch, or mid-afternoon snack can hold them over, if necessary. You wouldn't be the only ones with kids on second seating.

I've not done Remy (too pricey for me), Palo is also courses, much like the Main Dining Room. I prefer Palo brunch to dinner, however. Oceaneer's is typically open until 11:00 or midnight.

 

[plutolovr]

Second seating always has tons of kids, and you won't be rushed through your meal. You can also utilize Dine and Play. Dine and Play will have the kids' meals come out quickly and when they are finished the counselors from the kids' club will come to pick them up and take them to the Oceaneer's Club. Then you can stay and enjoy a more leisurely meal.

The shows are shown 2 times a night. There is an early show for those with late dining.

Palo and Remy, for the most part are a per person charge. There may be some items on the menus, especially at Remy, that would be an additional cost, but definitely not something you need to do to have a great meal.

 

[Valentina8623]

Call DCL and ask to be moved to the Main (early) seating. If they say it's full, ask to be placed on the wait list. It's not a bad idea to periodically call DCL to "confirm" you are on the wait list. Sometimes you'll get a sympathetic CM who will go ahead and move you.

If the wait list doesn't come through before you actually board the ship, check the Navigator you'll get in the terminal at check in to see where dining changes are being handled, and head there as soon as you board to see if you can change it.

Second seating is typically around 8:15. There are many kids who've dined at late seating and been fine. A late lunch, or mid-afternoon snack can hold them over, if necessary. You wouldn't be the only ones with kids on second seating.

I've not done Remy (too pricey for me), Palo is also courses, much like the Main Dining Room. I prefer Palo brunch to dinner, however. Oceaneer's is typically open until 11:00 or midnight.

Thank you so much. This is great info!

 

[Valentina8623]

Second seating always has tons of kids, and you won't be rushed through your meal. You can also utilize Dine and Play. Dine and Play will have the kids' meals come out quickly and when they are finished the counselors from the kids' club will come to pick them up and take them to the Oceaneer's Club. Then you can stay and enjoy a more leisurely meal.

The shows are shown 2 times a night. There is an early show for those with late dining.

Palo and Remy, for the most part are a per person charge. There may be some items on the menus, especially at Remy, that would be an additional cost, but definitely not something you need to do to have a great meal.

I had no idea about the Dine & Play. That sounds Amazing! Does this cost extra? Do you need to pre-schedule/reserve this? If this is an option I might want to stick with our current seating. I definetly need more information on this. Thank you!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I had no idea about the Dine & Play. That sounds Amazing! Does this cost extra? Do you need to pre-schedule/reserve this? If this is an option I might want to stick with our current seating. I definetly need more information on this. Thank you!

No extra cost. You just need to let your server know, so as to expedite the kid's meals. Also, keep an eye out for the Youth Activities CMs, sometimes they are in and out very quickly, or just step inside the dining room and you could miss them.

Of course, that said, there's nothing stopping you from taking a quick break between your appetizer and entree courses to take your kids to the clubs directly (that's what you'd have to do on Main dining, but you certainly could also do it on late dining, if you miss the CMs.)

 

[lilsonicfan]

On the Fantasy, they do now offer Dine & Play even at main seating (well - they did as of Nov 2017 and I've seen it since) but admittedly we never made use of this since it was pretty quick to head up to Deck 5 on our own.

Palo brunch is an amazing meal and it meant we didn't miss dinner with our kids (they did get to eat lunch in the club that day though).

 

[NZMUM]

Definitely get put on the main seating waitlist if you do want to change. You wouldn't be the only ones with kids at 2nd dining.
In January the Fantasy had the Dine & Play option at main dining. But if it has changed, there is nothing stopping you taking your kids to the clubs between courses if they want to go.. We did this when our kids were young. Just tell your server they want to leave eraly.
The kids club is normally open until midnight.
Palo brunch & dinner is $30/adult. You don't pay per course/dish. My advice, if you are Star Wars fans,is to take note of when Star Wars Day is & try not to book Palo/Remy on that day.

 

[DCLPrincess]

I've had good luck getting moved to first seating on waitlist. BTW the star wars menu was amazing. Enjoy!

 

[DIS_Ag]

Remy is excellent if you are into fancier dining. DW and really enjoyed it and found it worth the cost. Palo is great too and we will do both dinner and brunch on the Wonder soon.

 

[gotomu212]

We are late dining fans (even though we eat earlier when at home) and have 2 children. The pros of late with kids is that you aren’t rushed to get to dinner. The pool decks clear out a lot around 5 when early dinner people start getting ready. You however wouldn’t be rushed and kids can enjoy the pool longer. Our schedules are already off during a cruise so eating at 8 is t a huge change. The kids get a slice of pizza/hamburger/taco around 3 anyway (all free) so they are fine waiting for dinner.

Clubs are open to midnight- don’t have to pre register. We found our son really liked hanging at the club until 11 most nights so there was time for us to finish our dinner, have a drink, stroll the deck, before he was ready to come to bed.

I think Palo is a good date night dinner if you aren’t super into fine dining. On that night you can feed your kids on the pool deck, room service, or in the main dining, and then they’re off to the Clubs while you enjoy yourself. Don’t have to pre book anything for the kids, just reserve Palo for a date and time that works for you.